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West gate could regain former appearance

Hot Springs Village Property Owners’ Association’s proposed 2014 budget includes up to $400,000 to rehabilitate the west gate’s ponds. Board director Harv Shelton told the board last week the ad-hoc gates committee he chaired didn’t develop a new west gate concept because comments from members overwhelming favored rebuilding the iconic fountain designed by architect Fay Jones. Work will also include replacing liners, plumbing and pumps. Depending on bids, both the north and south ponds might be rehabilitated, although the north pond – on the left entering the Village – is the priority. (Lewis Delavan photo)

Property Owners’ Association public works director Jason Temple is asking the board of directors to approve an outlay of up to $400,000 to rebuild the west gate’s north and south ponds, based upon recommendations of the ad-hoc gates committee.

Temple told the board last Wednesday he estimates the project can be done for that price, but if not, the north pond could be renovated. The south pond’s fountain and pumps remain functional.

Bids would be solicited separately for the north and sound ponds, and as a combined project.

“We’re basically trying to rehabilitate what we have back to the original appearance, with some technical improvements,” said chief operating officer/general manager David Twiggs.

Director Harv Shelton said regular maintenance could have prevented the need for an expensive project. “Everything on this list is a maintenance item,” Shelton said.

Also, Twiggs introduced new police chief Gary Adams. A public reception to honor Adams and his wife will be held 3-5 p.m. tomorrow at Coronado Community Center.

Adams worked 13 years as police chief in University Park, Texas, a suburb four miles north of Dallas. He also spent 25 years with the Texarkana, Texas, police department, working up from patrol officer to captain.

Adams is a graduate of the FBI Academy, has a master’s in business administration from Texas A&M University, and has served as president of the Texas Police Chief’s Association.

Adams began working in Hot Springs Village Sept. 30.

In other business during a six-hour work session and mini retreat:

• The research and special projects committee said in its annual review of the budget that the POA’s budget process is broken.

RASP chair James Williams said the 2014 budget is long on details but short on vision.

“The staff provided exactly what the board requested,” Williams said. “However the development process guarantees that any potential financial problems would never be seen in the presentation of the budget.”

RASP suggests the board start working on the budget in February or March, developing a business plan and setting the amount of subsidy allowed for each amenity.

Departments could then develop a budget based on those directives.

• Villager Mark Alspaugh gave a presentation on how the POA can provide better service by becoming more efficient. A major part is developing a culture of efficiency and service. Alspaugh, an avid golfer, use an example of scheduling tee times every 10 minutes instead of eight. He said play would actually be faster, golfers would have more fun and the POA would need 177 fewer golf carts, which cost some $3,500 each.

• Twiggs said the federal Jump Start planning grant was not approved. Little Rock and North Little Rock each won two grants. Conway received one.

Planning will continue on the town center concept. Twiggs said it would have been a way to cover planning expenses.

• Signs at entrances to the Village will be changed so the ban on carrying concealed weapons will be eliminated, to comply with state law. Bans could be posted on individual sites, such as businesses or convention centers.

The Village cannot keep out members who hold concealed-carry permits. “It really doesn’t change anything,” said Twiggs. “It just changes the sign.”

• Proposed members of the new appeals committee are Angelo Parker, Rob Ferriman, Bob Cunningham, Sue Mefford and Ralph Turpin. Members would be affirmed Oct. 16. Each of the 12 applicants for the committee were interviewed.

Final approval of the budget and other proposals are set for the 9 a.m. Oct. 16 board meeting at the Ouachita Activities Building, Ponce de Leon Center.